Permutations and counter permutations looms in Kogi Politics in a bid to register an incredible 2023 general elections within the All Progressive Camp, it’s on this note that the executive Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state allegedly takes his Chief of staff, Pharm Asuku to a crucial meeting with the president.
The Govenor who was largely adjudged by different political watchers as a successful failure, would need a successor, not just a successor, but the successor that would cover him up once his tenure expires in early 2024.
Erstwhile, a strong rumour emanated from Lord Lugard house, the rumour submerged Kogi Political terrain, it implies that, the Govenor took one of his anointed candidates christened Pharmacist Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku, who is currently th Chief of Staff to Daura and introduced him to President Muhammad Buhari.
At the Moment, Pharm Asuku is being celebrated as a favorite candidate to succeed Govenor Yahaya Bello who is rated as the worse governor in Nigeria in terms of infrastructure, Security and prompt payment of worker’s entitlement in the state.
President Mohammed Buhari and Asuku in Daura
Pharm Asuku, who was appointed in February 2016, as the DG Protocol within the government house lokoja, got elevated in October of 2019 as Chief of Staff, the development that has since then jettison the plans of other gubernatorial hopefuls within the Yahaya Bello Camp.
The Chief of staff who graced the opportunity with both hands has been on the touchline solidifying the capacity that was displayed by his predecessor, Edward David Onoja, who is now the Deputy Governor of the state, “OBSERVERS TIMES” can authoritatively tell that some Kogi political observers and or believers, most especially, the Yahaya Bello followers are already zeroing their minds on Edward David Onoja, who is believed to be secretly nursing a bid to succeed Yahaya Bello.
Edward David Onoja, as one of the figures to watch out for in the next dispensation in the state, is certainly not happy with the recent developments that placed Pharm Asuku ahead of his permutations.
In another development, Yahaya Bello has promised the people of Kogi West power shift at the end of his second term, the insider sources also confirmed to OBSERVERS TIMES that Yahaya Bello, has vowed to handover to his current Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Asiru Idris Asiwaju, the man who is behind the financial manipulation, misappropriation and other magic and or abracadabra that characterized Kogi state Balance Sheet, the choice of Asiru is based on the fact that he understands the loopholes in the state management of finances and will cover up all the financial crimes should it lead to investigation after the expiration of Bello’s tenure.
Yahaya Bello is currently facing so many petitions before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision EFCC, among the leading pushers is the former Senator from Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye who just yesterday sent a reminder to the Chaiman of the EFCC on the needs for the Commision to gives Anti Corruption Network petition of financial crimes, Cash sleazes against the person of Yahaya Bello and some officials of kogi state government urgent and speedy attention, though Yahaya Bello, the principal suspect is currently enjoying immunity, the opportunity that will not last forever.
Hon James Faleke
Another big wings from Kogi West that Yahaya Bello once promised is the former late Abubakar Audu running mate, Hon James Faleke, is strongly believe to still have hold on late Audu Political structure, one of the most reliable and formidable structures in Kogi state the reliable source also confirmed that it was based on this assurance that the APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood by Yahaya Bello to ensure he got the party ticket against all odds,OBSERVERS TIMES recalled how Senator Hope Uzodinma lead committee disqualified Twelve aspirants for various flimsy reasons. They include the two sons of late Abubakar Audu — Mohammed Audu and Mustapha Audu. They were both disqualified on grounds of invalid nomination form and not being financial members of the party.
Others include Usman Jubril (retired Navy Admiral); Seidu Ogah (a professor); Yakubu Mohammed (journalist), Hadiza Ibrahim, Bashir Gegu, Sani Lulu, Tunde Irukera.
Though Barrister Tude Irukera, and Hon Hassan Baiwa were later cleared for the exercises which was later still manipulated to favour the Adam Oshiomhole lead NWC, the person of Yahaya Bello.
Barr. Babatunde Irukera
As the permutations for Yahaya Bello successor continues, Prince Babatunde Irukera is considered a dark horse, who may likely spring surprised, Babatunde Irukera is a man of high repute , respected across the parties line in Kogi state doing marvelously well on the National Assignment as the Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, Irukera is another graduates of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu political school of thought, a very refined man and a strong ally of the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, loved across three senatorial zones though he was in the race in the last APC controversial primary election nobody can authenticate what he is up to this time around as the hustle and jostling for power shift to kogi west permutations linger.
Smart Adeyemi and Spekear Kola Wole are also secret admirer of Kogi state number seat, Adeyemi is seeing desperate and ready to do anything to please Yahaya Bello and possible earned his political holy anointing over who may likely succeeds him, Prince Kolawole is view as a puppet and one of the worse speaker kogi state has ever produced, Kolawole is so desperate and has took over the campaign for Yahaya Bello Presidency on his head, he has visited so many states along with his colleagues in the state assembly.
Senator Smart Adeyemi
Cheif Edward Onoja, the deputy of lord Lugard house in lokoja, who was acting as a demy god during Yahaya Bello first term, wheeled all the state power to himself, known for arrogance, rude and lack respect for everyone, Edward Onoja was seen as natural Bello successor in waiting, as a Chief of Staff, he was much more powerful than Bello to the extend he called his boss his own Siemens twin brother.
Edward Onoja who catapulted himself into the Offier of Deputy Govenor, the same office he wrestled from Achuba is today powerless in the scheme of kogi political decision table, his influence is faded and his office as Deputy Govenor a mere appendix of the current Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja hope of succeeding Bello is evaporating and his hope is diminishing.
Senator Jibrin Isha Echocho is backing on religious sentiments, believing that only Muslim can govern Kogi state, for that reason, he is believing to be waiting behind and strike when necessary, he is the current Senator from Kogi East who strongly believe that Yahaya Bello is a messiah that brought him back to political limelight after his outing in 2011.
Khalifa Abdulrahman Okene
Also a strong contender from Kogi Central is Alhaji Abdulrahman Khalifa Okene, a known name from the same local government of Yahaya Bello, fluently in different lingual in Kogi state, Born and brought up in Idah Kogi state East which endear him to so many in Kogi East, he is considered as detribilised and selfless Nigerian of Ebira origin, who has made a significant impact in following the diversity of human capacity through skills acquisition and monetary encouragement. He is also being rumor to be considering joining the battle for number one seat in the state.
As the battle for who succeeds Yahaya Bello lingers within his own political party, the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, the known factors that normally and usually decides the party and who governs kogi state is largely decided by the power at the cent
